Apollo 15 Astronaut and Patron of Lough Gur Development Al Worden will visit Limerick on July 16th to assist with fundraising efforts for the organization. The group fully restored and upgraded the lakefront Heritage Center in 2013 and work to pay for the substantial works continues. Since the new exhibition opened visitor numbers have doubled in the area.

What you may ask is the connection between an astronaut and an archaeological site? Archaeoastronomy is the answer. A new study focusing on the alignment of the Great Grange Stone Circle leads us to question what level of knowledge did the first engineers and architects poses. Did these clusters of circles represent the sun, moon and planets? Al Worden has some interesting views on this theory.

It was the great-great-grandson of a Lough Gur native, who launched the human space race, by choosing to put a man on the moon. One such man to take up President Kennedy’s call to action was Al Worden. This year, some 45 years after his historic flight to the moon; Al Worden astronaut and patron to Lough Gur, returns to close this circle of history, with a lecture on his historic mission to the moon in 1971.

Lough Gur Development is currently applying for Dark Sky Park status due to the readings of the night sky overhead. It is the perfect place for astronomers and nature lovers to visit. Most recently Lough Gur has become part of Ireland’s Ancient East and link now with a large network of historic sites to interpret the sacred and unique history of each area.

As one of only 24 people to have flown to the moon Al forms part of an exclusive voyager’s club who have travelled further beyond Earth’s orbit than any human. Al is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the person who went further than most.

Lough Gur Development will host a sold out event where guests will meet with Apollo-15 astronaut Al Worden and be mesmerised with his gripping story.

Additional speakers on the evening include Dr Frank Prendergast who recently completed an archaeoastronomical report on the Great Grange Stone Circle, Paul Ryan, Project Manager of the Lough Gur Science Group and founder of Share Learn Inspire along with Dr Niall Smith from Blackrock College Observatory. All are assisting Lough Gur Development in their efforts to gain Dark Sky Park status.

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